CHAPTER XV
THE OTHER CASTAWAYS
"Well, we're all alive, at any rate," announced Tom, when the brightsun, shining into his eyes, had awakened him. He sat up, tossedaside his blankets, and stood up. The day was a fine one, and theviolence of the sea had greatly subsided during the night, theirshack had suffered not at all from the slight shock in the darkness.
"Now for a dip in old Briney," the lad added, as he walked down tothe surf, "I think it will make me feel better."
"I'm with you," added Mr. Fenwick, and Mr. Damon also joined thebathers. They came up from the waves, tingling with health, andtheir bruises and bumps, including Tom's cut leg, felt much better.
"You did get quite a gash; didn't you," observed Mr. Fenwick, as henoticed Tom's leg. "Better put something on it. I have antisepticdressings and bandages in the airship, if we can find them."
"I'll look for them, after breakfast," Tom promised, and following afairly substantial meal, considering the exigencies under which itwas prepared, he got out the medicine chest, of which part remainedin the wreck of the WHIZZER, and dressed his wound. He felt muchbetter after that.
"Well, what's our program for to-day?" Mr. Damon wanted to know, asthey sat about, after they had washed up what few dishes they used.
"Let's make a better house to stay in," proposed Mr. Fenwick. "Wemay have to remain here for some time, and I'd like a moresubstantial residence."
"I think the one we now have will do," suggested Tom. "I was goingto propose making it even less substantial."
"Why so?"
"Because, in the event of an earthquake, while we are sleeping init, we will not be injured. Made of light pieces of wood and canvasit can't harm us very much if it falls on us."
"That's right," agreed Mr. Damon. "In earthquake countries all thehouses are low, and built of light materials."
"Ha! So I recollect now," spoke Mr. Fenwick. "I used to read that inmy geography, but I never thought it would apply to me. But do youthink we will be subject to the quakes?"
"I'm afraid so," was Tom's reply. "We've had two, now, within ashort time, and there is no way of telling when the next will come.We will hope there won't be any more, but--"
He did not finish his sentence, but the others knew what he meant.Thereupon they fell to work, and soon had made a shelter that, whilevery light and frail, would afford them all the protection needed inthat mild climate, and, at the same time, there would be no dangershould an earthquake collapse it, and bring it down about theirheads while they were sleeping in it.
For they decided that they needed some shelter from the night dews,as it was exceedingly uncomfortable to rest on the sands evenwrapped in blankets, and with a driftwood fire burning nearby.
It was noon when they had their shack rebuilt to their liking, andthey stopped for dinner. There was quite a variety of stores in theairship, enough for a much larger party than that of our threefriends, and they varied their meals as much as possible. Of courseall the stuff they had was canned, though there are some salted andsmoked meats. But canned food can be had in a variety of formsnow-a-days, so the castaways did not lack much.
"What do you say to an exploring expedition this afternoon?" askedTom, as they sat about after dinner. "We ought to find out what kindof an island we're on."
"I agree with you," came from Mr. Fenwick. "Perhaps on the otherside we will stand a much better chance of speaking some passingvessel. I have been watching the horizon for some time, now, but Ihaven't seen the sign of a ship."
"All right, then we'll explore, and see what sort of an island wehave taken possession of," went on Tom.
"And see if it isn't already in possession of natives--orcannibals," suggested Mr. Damon. "Bless my frying pan! but I shouldhate to be captured by cannibals at my time of life."
"Don't worry; there are none here," Tom assured him again.
They set out on their journey around the island. They agreed that itwould be best to follow the beach around, as it was easier walkingthat way, since the interior of the place consisted of rugged rocksin a sort of miniature mountain chain.
"We will make a circuit of the place," proposed Tom, "and then, ifwe can discover nothing, we'll go inland. The centre of the islandis quite high, and we ought to be able to see in any direction for agreat distance from the topmost peak. We may be able to signal avessel."
"I hope so!" cried Mr. Damon. "I want to send word home that I amall right. My wife will worry when she learns that the airship, inwhich I set out, has disappeared."
"I fancy we all would like to send word home," added Mr. Fenwick."My wife never wanted me to build this airship, and, now that I havesailed in it, and have been wrecked, I know she'll say 'I told youso,' as soon as I get back to Philadelphia."
Tom said nothing, but he thought to himself that it might be sometime before Mrs. Fenwick would have a chance to utter thosesignificant words to her husband.
Following the beach line, they walked for several miles. The islandwas larger than they had supposed, and it soon became evident thatit would take at least a day to get all around it.
"In which case we will need some lunch with us." said Tom. "I thinkthe best thing we can do now is to return to camp, and get ready fora longer expedition to-morrow."
Mr. Fenwick was of the same mind, but Mr. Damon called out:
"Let's go just beyond that cliff, and see what sort of a view is tobe had from there. Then we'll turn back."
To oblige him they followed. They had not gone more than a hundredyards toward the cliff, than there came the preliminary rumbling androaring that they had come to associate with an earthquake. At thesame time, the ground began to shiver and shake.
"Here comes another one!" cried Tom, reeling about. He saw Mr. Damonand Mr. Fenwick topple to the beach. The roaring increased, and therumbling was like thunder, close at hand. The island seemed to rockto its very centre.
Suddenly the whole cliff toward which they had been walking,appeared to shake itself loose. In another instant it was flungoutward and into the sea, a great mass of rock and stone.
The island ceased trembling, and the roaring stopped. Tom rose tohis feet, followed by his companions. He looked toward the placewhere the cliff had been. Its removal by the earthquake gave them aview of a part of the beach that had hitherto been hidden from them.
And what Tom saw caused him to cry out in astonishment. For hebeheld, gathered around a little fire on the sand, a party of menand women. Some were standing, clinging to one another in terror.Some were prostrate on the ground. Others were running to and fro inbewilderment.
"More castaways!" cried Tom. "More castaways," and, he added underhis breath, "more unfortunates on earthquake island!"
Tom Swift and His Wireless Message; Or, The Castaways of Earthquake Island Page 15
